How to spend a perfect day on Block Island

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A must do when visiting Rhode Island in the summer is a day trip to Block Island. Often over shadowed by Nantucket and Martha’s Vinyard, this slice of New England paradise is a short ferry ride away from USA’s smallest state. Known for mopeds, and divine seafood, you are transported into vacation-land as soon as you arrive.

Quick Info & Tips

Buy your tickets online or head here day of to buy them at the window.
The traditional Ferry takes 55 minutes, while the speed ferry takes only 30 minutes.
You can bring your bike on the ferry for an extra fee of $7.00.
There are plenty of bikes and mopeds to rent on Block Island.
Try and go on the warmest day of your trip – will be cooler on the ferry as well of the island, of course.

The Perfect Day Trip to Block Island

Heading off the Ferry, go straight to the Visitors Center to grab a map if you need, and see if they have a coupon for some discounts at a bike store (if you plan to rent). Head to a rental (Moped Man has deals but you have a few to choose from). It takes about 2 hours to see the whole island by moped, and half a day by bike – entirely up to how much you want to sweat, of course.

Make your first two stops be the South East Lighthouse and walk down if able to the Mohegan Bluffs. Bike or moped all along the island to see numerous ponds, more coastline, and the North Lighthouse at the very end of the island. What always surprises me most about any day trip to Block Island is how green and spacious it is. Far from touristy, full of preserved nature, and always something new to see.

After you have worked up an appetite on the road grab some fresh seafood and a cocktail by the sea. I recommend the Harbor Grille or Beachhead. You can’t go wrong with eating on the island, but lobster rolls or stuffed clams/quahogs are a Rhode Island speciality 😉

Swim at one of the Island’s many beaches or spend some time to window shop along the main town of New Shorem. You will have numerous ice cream joints to choose from for a post sun snack or grab a Dels Lemonade (or both).

For such a small island, you can easily spend a day or weekend there – especially in the summer. Hop on a moped and explore a true gem of Rhode Island.